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Good description of the essence of democracy and the path of it sliding into authoritarianism. In a democracy all of the institutions of government and society
by toss1 4y ago
Good description of the essence of democracy and the path of it sliding into authoritarianism.
In a democracy all of the institutions of government and society are relatively independent, with power spread out and relatively balanced between them. This goes for the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of govt, as well as the civil service, the press, the academy, industry.
In contrast, as politicians start controlling "something like FBI or EEOC", and start forcing the justice department, the press, academic institutions and other government and societal structures to bend to the will of the leader, you soon have authoritarianism.
Once it goes that way, it is very difficult to restore a democracy.
- yucky 4y agoI would argue that's an inevitability with democracy, since short term thinking tends to dominate.
- toss1 4y agoYou are certainly right, it is not constantly and actively maintained. After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, it's said that when Ben Franklin was walking out of Independence Hall, someone yelled: “Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?” To which Franklin responded: “A republic, if you can keep it.” Wise Words. And, as Plato said: "The penalty for good men not participating in politics is to be ruled by evil men.".
- toss1 4y ago*oops, "...+IF+ it is not constantly and actively maintained."